By Nick Creely
Tyla Hanks is a rising star that commands a lot of presence on the football field.
The Beaconsfield Football Club and Gippsland Power product is making a significant impact for Melbourne in this year’s 2021 AFLW season, with the third-year midfielder taking her game to another level.
The 20-year-old has immense poise with the footy in her hand, and since being recruited with pick no.6 in the 2018 AFLW draft, has steadily built her game to become one of the most impressive young talents in the competition.
This season alone, the Demon midfielder has impressive numbers inked next to her name – averaging almost 20 touches a game alongside almost seven tackles each match.
But Hanks finally received her first NAB Rising Star Award nomination earlier this season, with a sparkling 19-disposal effort against Richmond at Casey Fields in Round 2, starring through the midfield in the 28-point win.
While humbled to have received recognition for her rapid improvement with the Rising Star nomination, Hanks said she’s been focusing on playing her role and ensuring she’s remaining consistent for the Dees.
“You don’t play for those types of recognition, but it is something that’s always been in the back of my mind a little bit,” she said.
“I was more focused on it in my first year, but coming into my third I’ve just wanted to play my role for the team and contribute each week.
“It’s definitely somewhat of a proud moment for me to tick that over, so I’m lucky to have received the nomination.”
Hanks is just yet another of a long line of Beaconsfield juniors to have made a significant impact at AFLW level, with names such as Western Bulldogs star Ellie Blackburn, Georgia Gee, another recent Rising Star nominee in Tyanna Smith just an example of the impeccable women’s program at Holm Park.
And Hanks’ nomination will ensure that Beaconsfield can continue bringing through and developing some future female football stars, with the club receiving a NAB Club Recognition Award comprising of financial and practical recourses.
“There’s been a lot of girls that have come through that Beacy program,” Hanks glowingly said of her junior football club.
“You see Ellie Blackburn, Georgia Gee, Tyanna Smith, so there’s a long list there that are doing some great things in the AFLW.
“With the girls’ program, they started with girls like Ellie, and when players were looking for a team to go to, it’s enticed a lot of players to join the club because of its success rate.
“Once you’re there at the club, the investment from guys like Troy Robinson and all of the coaching staff has been great.”
Hanks explained that her rapid improvement this season has come down to a stern focus on improving not only her fitness but her mindset, and said that Covid has allowed all AFLW players to continually develop their game in all facets, while also providing football-starved fans – particularly in Victoria – with plenty of excitement as the quality of the game has continued to go to another level this season.
“As much as Covid was a bad time for a lot of people, I think everyone’s interest in sport has spiked again, and AFLW has been lucky to come back at a really good time for everyone,” she said.
“Being out there has been absolute awesome, but I think Covid has given time for the players to spend time on their skills, because all you could really do was go out and exercise for an hour and it gave a lot of girl’s opportunities to improve.
“Its definitely increased the skill level of the game for sure, and the girls are all desperate to improve.
“More so, from a personal point of view, I had a lot more time, I was doing online uni (a degree in Exercise Science and Secondary Teaching) and wasn’t working so I had a lot of time to improve my fitness, which is always helpful, but I’ve spent time investing in things like sport psyche, the mental side of things and to believe in myself and my abilities.
“I’ve had a lot of time to work on myself as a person and as a footballer.”
And its safe to say that its paying dividends.
Hanks – aside from being recognised in the Rising Star Award – is also sitting inside the top 10 in the prestigious AFLW Coaches Association Champion Player award, with three votes in Round 1, eight in Round 2, another eight in Round 3, and four in Round 4, such is her influence each week.
But Hanks’ focus now shifts to this weekend, with the Demons take on the undefeated Collingwood this Sunday at Victoria Park, looking to move to a 4-1 record.
It would be a serious scalp in what has been a fascinating season of football that has been as unpredictable as it has been exciting.
Hanks said that each and every week there are twists and turns in the competition, and said that the focus of the group was too not look too far ahead and play consistent footy.
“Even in the other games, there’s no easy wins this year, each team can come out on top on any given day, and upsets keep happening,” she said.
“We talk about that, we have to stay focused.
“That’s a testament to the competitiveness and quality of the competition this year.
“It’s unpredictable and with the fixture you’ve just got to roll through one week at a time.”
The Demons’ match with the Pies will begin at 3.10pm in what looms as an absolute blockbuster.
